He thought a married woman in an open relationship would want an easygoing hookup. After a good night together, the constant contact caught him off guard.

At 37, I want a meaningful relationship. My roommate seems to meet women effortlessly, and the contrast is harder to understand than the hookups.

I can make people laugh and hold a conversation. At 53, I’m wondering how the body I have now fits into a man’s attraction to a long-term partner.

After a few wonderful dates, his affection hasn’t disappeared—but he says we’re too different to work out. I’m trying to understand the gap.

An old conversation can suddenly look like obvious flirting. The awkward part is deciding what hindsight has clarified—and what it has invented.

We talked easily at dinner. A week later, my follow request is pending—and I still don’t know his age or whether he’s single.

After an affectionate concert date, her messages changed. Two weeks later, we were at another show with separate groups—and never met up.